Game register



Aug.13, 1946.

A A. W. DEW

GAME REGI S TER Filed June 8, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR Aug. 13, 1946.

A. w. lnx-:wv l 2,405,690

GAME REGISTER Filed June 8, .1944 2 sheets-'sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 13, l194.6

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME REGISTER Arthur W. Dew, Jackson, Mich.

Application June 8, 1944, Serial No. 539,266

(Cl. 23S-114) 19 claims. 1

This invention relates to a registering device and more particularly to an instrument for registering the number of games won by the respective sides during a tennis competition as Well as the score of the particular game being played at any time.

The most important object is to provide a device which may simulate an ordinary Watch either to be worn upon the wrist or carried in the pocket and which will permit the progress of a game to be quickly and accurately registered either by a player, a referee, or a spectator.

Another object is to construct an instrument of the nature outlined which will be rugged in its operating parts, as simple as the nature of the purpose to be attained will permit and, withal, which may be easily and cheaply manufactured.

Briefly described, my device which is the subject of this application consists of two pairs of rotatable dials. These dials are adapted to be actuated from a common stem. One pair of dials is for the purpose of registering the score of the respective sides during a game while the other pair may be adapted for the purpose of registering the number of games won by the opposing sides respectively. When the stem is in normal position rotation thereof in one direction will operate one of the first-named pairs of dials, while its rotation in the other direction will result in the turning of the other dial of the first-named pair. On the other hand, when the stem is displaced from normal position its operation in one direction will actuate one of the second-named pair of dials and, of course, rotation of the stem in the opposite direction will actuate the other of the last-named pair. At the same time that the stem is displayed for rotating the proper game-registering dial, the score dials are each automatically reset to zero position, all as will later appear. In addition to the stem means for turning the score-registering dials, it is proposed in the preferred form of my invention, to provide individual means for resetting the score dials under the conditions of play which will be later explained.

In the drawings wherein is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention Fig. 1 shows the tennis indicating instrument in perspective in a form adapted to be worn upon the wrist;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view with the crystal and the cover for the dials removed;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but with the dials removed, a part of the upper bearing plate being broken away;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the mechanism for operating one of the score dials;

Fig. 6 is a view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a detail of the plate separating lug;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the inner surface of the lower bearing plate;

Figs. 9 and 10 are detail views which will be later explained;

Fig. 11 is a plan of the more important parts, disassembled, of one of the score-dial actuating units;

Fig. 12 shows the preferred manner of securing each dial to its shaft;

Fig. 13 shows in detail the spring-actuating fork later to be described;

Fig. 14 is a section on the line Ill-I4 of Fig. 2; and Figs. 15 and 16 are details of the more important elements of the game-registering mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings 1n which like numerals refer to corresponding parts in all figures, numeral l indicates a case which may be of any shape or size and which is shown, for illustrative purposes only, as simulating a wrist watch. This casing may have the usual crystal and bezel ring, the later snapping over bezel |06, Fig. 3. To the casing l are secured the parts of the strap 2 and 2'.

Extending diametrically of the casing is a shaft 3 which has bearing at opposite portions of the periphery of the case and which projects at the top of the case to carry a stem-piece 4. The lower bearing of the shaft 3 is provided by a hole 6, Fig. 4, drilled into the periphery of the case and an alined hole in a piece 5 which piece is secured to the inner wall of the case by screws or other suitable fastening means (not shown).

To the lower end of the shaft 3 there is se cured a' bevel gear 1 of substantially the shape shown. This gear is rigidly attached to the shaft as by means of a set screw 'l'. To the upper end of the shaft is rigidly secured as by means of a set screw, a second bevel gear member 8. As shown in Fig. 3, this gear member consists of a cylindrical piece having tWo spaced peripheral grooves 9 and l0 provided for the purpose of cooperating with a spring l l, Fig. 2, to locate and releasably retain the shaft 3 in its two positions of longitudinal adjustment, that is, first, in position such that gear 22 and 8 are in engagement, second, in position such that gears 23 and 21 are meshed. The spring Il may be secured to the case l by means of screws, as shown; or it may J be secured to either the upper or lower frame bearing plates subsequently to be described.

The principal operating parts of my invention are intended preferably to be carried by an upper frame plate I2, Fig. 3, and a lower frame plate I3. rThese plates are held in spaced relation by a lug I 4, Figs. 3 and "I, having threaded apertures I5. Screws I5 pass thru the respective plates and engage in the apertures whereby the two plates are secured in fixed spaced position relative to each other. One of the plates, preferably I2, is normally slightly flexed toward the other plate. This feature gives a snug seat for all of the dial shafts and insures even operation and long wear of the parts. A hole I1 is drilled between the screw-threaded apertures at right angles to holes I5 to provide a central bearing for shaft 3. Lugs I8, Fig. 4, are formed integrally with, or attached to the casing. These lugs are bored and threaded to receive screws I9. By this means it is proposed to secure the Works in position within the case although, obviously, any other suitable manner of accomplishing the same object may be employed.

Referring now to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the lower bearing plate is generally rectangular in outline. Two circular-shaped areas and 2| are struck upwardly from said plate as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 8, and 9 for the purpose of forming bearing surfaces for bevel gears 22 and 23, presently to be described.

Idler gears 22 and 23, Figs. 3 and' 4, are substantially identical except for size. Each has a beveled toothed portion as at 29, Fig. 9, for engagement with gears 1 and 5 respectively, and a peripheral toothed' portion 30 for engagement with the dual-actuating gears. Said idler gears are pivotally attached to the lowerv bearing plate by means of small bolts or pivots 3i and 3I.

For the purpose of transmitting the motion of gear 22 in its two directions of rotation by means of stem 4, to the respective score-indicating dial, I prefer to provide two idler gears 32 and 33 mounted in a manner to be described and each meshing with the peripherally toothed portion of gear 22, and also with its respective score-indicating dial. As seen in Figs. 3 and 8, a hole 34 is formed in the top of the lower bearing plate I 3. In this hole is rotatably secured a pivot pin 35, Figs. 3 and 4. Said pin has a slot or kerf 3S cut therein and in this kerf'is secured by means of a pin 31, an arcuate-shaped leaf spring 36. This spring extends in equal amount on opposite sides of pivot pin 35 and at each end has secured thereto, Fig, 10, as by means of rivets 39, a bracket 49 having a headed bearing pin 4I, On pins 4l are rotatably mounted respectively, idler gears 32 and 33 and are held thereon by heads 42, Fig. 4, on said pins. There is also secured to each end of spring 33, weaker springs 43. These springs are preferably secured to 33 by means of the same pins 39 that are used to fasten bracket 4% thereto. Each spring I43 extends for a suitable distance beyond its end of spring 33 and at its free end is bent as at 44, Fig. 4, to engage the serrations of spacing wheels later to be mentioned. The spring 38 is always flexed so as to urge both idlers 32 and 33 downwardly into snug engagement with gear 22 and the respective dial-actuating gears.

Attention is now invited to Figs. 5 and 6 wherein is shown as a unit what forms one of the more important parts of my invention and which I shall term a score-dial actuating unit. The nucleus of this unit is squared shaft 45, Fig. 6.

Said shaft has a lower pivot bearing 46 in plate I3 and at its other end has a reduced rounded part 41. This end of shaft is screw threaded longitudinally as at 48, to receive the screw 49 which holds each dial 50 to its respective shaft. It will of course be understood that two dialactuating units as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, are employed one for each dial.

On the squared shaft next to the lower bearing plate I3 is a dial-positioning element 5I, shown clearly in Fig. 11. Member 5I has a square hole to fit shaft 45 and is formed on its periphery with serrations 52 spaced and corresponding in number to the several individual indications on dials 5I). Next to member 5I comes dial-actuating gear 53 shown in detail in Fig. 11. This gear or pinion has a round hole 54 therein slightly larger than the cross-section of shaft 45. Fitting this hole is a bearing element 55 having the usual square hole therein for fitting shaft 45. By this construction, it will be noted, pinion 53 is freely rotatable relative to shaft 45. It should also be noted that pinion 53 has, at spaced points, two or more pins 55 fixed thereto.

The next part in order of its arrangement upon shaft 45, is pawl member 51 shown clearly in plan in Fig. 1l This member has a hole loosely fitting shaft 45, as well as smaller holes 59 to t over pins 55 on pinion 53. Obviously the pins may be carried by 51 instead of by 53 although I prefer the arrangement shown. On the tapered outer portion of member 51 is pivotally attached by means of a screw 59, the pawl 5I). A small leaf spring 5I cooperating with pins 62 and 63 forced into accommodating holes in member 51, act to resiliently urge pawl 60 in the proper direction to engage its ratchet wheel next to be described.

Following member 51 in order of arrangement on shaft 45 is the ratchet wheel 54. This wheel has a square axial hole tting shaft 45 and is engaged and turned by pawl v60 to transmit movement from stem 4 to its related dial 59, as indicated in Figs. 5 and 6. Following 64 comes a small round washer member 65, Fig, 6, having'a square hole to fit shaft 45. To the periphery of this washer member is attached one end of a coil spring 66, Figs. 5 and 6, while the other end of said spring is fastened to a pin 61, secured in a hole 51', Fig. 4, in upper bearing plate I2. The coil spring of each dial-actuating unit is so disposed about shaft 45 as to be wound up as its corresponding dial is turned farther from its love or normal position and is of sufficient strength to return its dial, together with shaft 4'5 and other parts carried thereby, to normal position during the resetting operation.

The washer member S5 occupies the remaining squared portion of shaft 45. Bearing holes are provided in upper plate I2 for the rounded upper part 41. Thus the plate fits down over the part 41 as shown in Fig. 6 and bears against the shoulder of shaft 45 formed between the squared and rounded portions. It is intended that plate I2 shall be normally shaped to fiex slightly downwardly from its center toward either side, that is, flexed about the axis of stem shaft 3. With this arrangement when screws I6 are turned home the parts of plate I2 engaging the shoulder of shaft 45, will gently but firmly press the members on shaft 45 into compact, smoothlyoperating relation. The dials are preferably fastened to shaft 45 to rotate therewith by means of small keyways, Fig, 12, cut into the rounded portion 41 and into which, and a corresponding notch in dial 50, fits a key 68." Of`course vany other well-known means may be employed in this respect. The screw 49 is then turned home to keep the key and dial snugly in place. These dials, as shown in Fig. 2, have equally spaced about their faces the six indications L, 15, 30, 40, D, and A. These indications as will be understood by all persons having a knowledge of tennis, represent love, scores cf 15, 30, and 40, deuce, and advantage, respectively. It is within the purview of my invention to omit, if desired, either the indication 40 or dence When the parts are in position to actuate dials 50, idlers 32 and 33 are in engagement with gear 22 and with related gears 53, respectively, while the V bend 44 of each spring 43 is engaged in a serration of member 5| to thereby hold the dials with an indication visible thru openings in the mask or covering plate later to be described, all as is clearly shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that, with the parts in this position, a turning of stem 4 clockwise as seen looking down in Fig. 2, will actuate the left dial, while the other dial-actuating gear, due to its ratchet connection to shaft 45, will simply turn on the shaft without actuating it; and, of course, a counterclockwise movement of the stem will rotate the right-hand dial leaving the opposite dial motionless and in its previously adjusted position. As the dials are rotated from one indication to the next as the game progresses, coil springs 3G will be placed under tension.

Secured to stem 3 by means of a set screw, is a collar 69, Figs. 2 and 3, and loosely fitting said stem, between the collar E3 and member 8, is a fork 10. |`Said fork is shaped as shown in Fig. 13 and has a hole 1l for the accommodation of shaft 3. The ends of the fork are turned at right angles to the plane of the main portion as at 12, Fig. 13, and are provided with slots 13 which loosely fit over the spring 38. By this construction, as soon as a game is completed, stempiece 4 is drawn out after the manner in which a watch is set. This movement raises fork and, with it the ends of spring 38. Gears 32 and 33 are thus disengaged from their dial-actuating pinions 53 and, at the same time, springs 43 are disengaged from their respective dial-spacing members 5I. Each dial-actuating unit is thus rendered free and, under the urge of coil springs 66, the dials are returned to normal or zero position. A suitable lug (not shown) on the under surface of each dial is placed to engage with a pin or lug on the upper surface of the upper bearing plate when the dials are turned back- Wardly Iby coil springs 66, whereby to locate the dials in exact zero position, that is, in position such that L is visible thru the openings 14 and 15, Fig. 1.

At the same time that stem 4 is drawn out, the game indicating mechanism is connected to said stem, as will be presently described.

As is well known, in the game of tennis, when the score goes to 40--40, each player having won three strokes, it is then called deuce and the player winning the next stroke is said to have the advantage If he Wins the next stroke also, he wins the game, but if his opponent wins the next stroke, the score returns to deuce As a result of this method of scoring a game of tennis it may be necessary to provide mechanism whereby the dials may be reset from A to D.

For such resetting, thumb-pieces 16 and 11, Figs. 2 and 4, are pivotally mounted, as by means of screws 18 and 19 engaging corresponding screw-threaded holes 83 and 8l, Fig. 8, in'the lower bearing plate I3, These thumb-pieces, which are preferably shaped substantially as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, project thru accommodating slots in the side wall of the casing and, at their inner ends have sloping faces 82, Fig. 2, which engage a part of the bearing shaft 4l or. bearing 43. Each thumb piece carries a lug 83, Fig. 2, adapted, when the piece is pressed inwardly, to contact with a properly placed lug on each dial when the indication D is visible thru the openings inthe mask 84. By this arrangement, as one or the other of the projecting parts of thumb pieces 16 and 11 are pressed inwardly, the part of the mounting of the corresponding gear 32 or 33 contacting with surface 82 or 83, will ride up said surface, whereby the corresponding idler 32 or 33 will be disengaged from its related dial-actuating gear. At the same time spring 43 will be separated from its spacing member 5l and the lug on member 16 or 11 as the case may be, will be rotated into the path of the cooperating lug on the dial. The dial will thus be rendered free to rotate in reverse direction until indication D is visible thru the opening. The mechanism above described is complete in itself and may be used alone. Such a device is within the purview of my invention. However, in order to present an instrument which will be complete, attractive, and highly satisfying to tennisplayers in particular, it is deemed best to provide game-indicating mechanism now to be explained.

Pinion 1, securely fastened to the lower end of shaft 3 has already been mentioned as has its related gear 23 and mounting means 3|. These two gears are normally separated and are brought into engagement only when stem shaft 3 is drawn out for a resetting operation, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. Pivoted between the upper and lower bearing plates on either side of gear 23 are squared shafts 88 and 83, Figs. 4 and 14. Each shaft carries a pinion 33 meshing with gear 23. Each pinion is mounted for free rotation on its shaft by means of a, lbearing element 9| similar to element 55 of Fig. 11. Rigidly secured to each pinion is a ratchet carrier 32, Figs. 14 and l5, bearing a spring-controlled ratchet 33. Ratchet 93 is yieldingly urged by a spring 94 into engagement with ratchet wheel 35, Fig. 15, the latter having the usual square hole fitting shaft 88. Between the wheel 95 and the upper bearing plate I2 comes the spacing element 33. This element has twelve notches equi-distantly spaced about its periphery and adapted to :be engaged by the ends of a spring 91, Figs. 3 and 16. This spring is fastened at its central part to spacer I4, as shown in Fig. 3. By this arrangement, when the stem is withdrawn, pinion 1 and gear 23 are intermeshed and the stem-piece 4 may then be turned in the proper direction to register the game to the credit of the winner on the proper dial as seen thru holes 9B and 99, Fig. 1. If the stem-piece is turned clockwise as seen looking down in Fig. 1, dial 8B will be actuated, dial 81 being held in place by its spacer 95 and spring 91 while its ratchet 93 rides around the serrations of element 95. While, of course, when the stem-piece is turned in a counterclockwise direction as seen looking downwardly, Fig. 1, the right hand dial 81 will be turned and dial 3S will remain motionless. At the end of a set, each dial is turned around to a position where L is again visible. Y

' The mask 84 may be marked in a manner shown in Fig. 1. A double-headed arrow at the top indicates which way the stem-piece is to be turned to actuate the proper dials. The words Score and Games are self-explanatory while letters such as S and R standing for server and returner may be used to identify the respective opponents. Of course any other notation may be used for this purpose.

In use it is assumed that the letter L is visible thru all of the mask openings and that pinion 8 and gear 22 are in mesh. Supposing that the server wins the first stroke. The person using the device will then turn the stem in the direction of the S indication. Pinion 8 will transmit its motion to gear 22 and thence to 32 and 33. But while, due to the ratchet arrangement, the right dial i] will remain motionless, being held thus by its spring 43 and spacer 5l, the left or S dial will be turned. The V end of spring 43 riding up out of one notch and dropping into the next to definitely position the dial with centered under the opening. If the returner or striker-out wins the next stroke, stem-piece 4 will be turned in the opposite direction from that previously turned, to bring the indication 15 under the right hand opening T5. Suppose now, that the server wins the next two strokes. 'Ihe left or S dial will be turned to successively register and 40. Now if the returner wins the following two strokes the game stands at Llilor deuce Upon this occurrence, both dials are actuated one-sixth revolution to render D visible thru both openings. Server winning the next stroke, the stem-piece is turned to bring A standing for advantage under the S opening.

Suppose now that the returner wins the next stroke. The game now returns to deuce and the score, instead of actuating the stem-piece, presses on thumb-piece "it, This movement of the thumb-piece raises idler 32 out of engagement with gear 53 and moves spring 43 from contact with spacer 5l. At the same time lug 83 on thumb-piece 16 is moved into the path of its cooperating lug on the dial. The dial is now free to rotate and, under the urge of its coil spring 66, will be turned until stopped by lug 83, with D once more visible whereupon the thumb-piece is released. This resetting operation is continued on both sides as necessary until one player wins a stroke after having secured advantage thus winning the game.

As soon as the game is Won by one player or side, stem-piece 4 is drawn out. This movement of shaft 3, (l) separates pinion 8 from gear 22; (2) raises fork l) to separate idlers 32 and 33 each from its respective gear 53 and to free spacers 5| from theA contacting ends of springs 43; 3) engages pinion I and gear 23. Dials being thus freed, are returned to initial or love position by coil springs 65. Stempiece 4 is then rotated in the proper direction to credit the game to the winner whereupon it is pressed in to return the pinion 8 and gear 22 to mesh. The device is thus ready for the next game.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have fully described and shown what I now consider the preferred form of my invention. But I desire to have it understood that the disclosure is illustrative only and is not to be taken in a limiting sense. The invention is circumscribed only by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim is:

1. In a game register, a frame, indicator means movably mounted in said frame and advanceable from an initial position to bring, intermediate and nal indicia thereon, successively into registering position in the order mentioned, a disconnectable drive connected to so advance and maintain said movable indicator means selectively in said intermediate or final position, means urging said indicator means to said initial indicating position, and a single means operable when said indicator means isA in iinal indicating position to release said disconnectable drive and positively stop said indicator means in said intermediate position.

2. A register comprising a frame, a rst shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, registering means connected to be advanced by shaid shaft from an initial position, a second axially shiftable shaft mounted for rotation in said frame, an idler, rotatable means carried by said rst shaft and engaging said idler for rotation thereby, means fixed to said second shaft and connected to rotate said idler on turning of said second shaft, means mounting said idler for shifting away from said first shaft, means operated by axial shift of said second shaft for shifting said idler out of engagement with said rotatable means, whereby the drive between said shafts is disconnected and means urging said registering means into said initial position when said shafts are disconnected.

3. In a game register, a shaft, a dial, disconnectable means coupling said shaft and dial so that rotation of said shaft advances said dial from an initial position in one direction of turning of said shaft only, a: xed abutment, resilient means connected between said dial and said abutment and urging retrograde rotation of said dial, and means controlled by axial movement of said shaft disconnecting said Coupling means and permitting said resilient means to positively return said dial to initial position.

4. A register comprising a pair of dial, pinions afiixed to respective dials to rotate the same, means urging each dial to its initial or starting position, a single operating gear, two idler gears each meshing with said operating gear and a respective one of said pinions, a single spring means mounting said idler gears and urging then into pinion-engaging positions, a rotatable stern axially shiftable into two positions, means on said stem for engaging and turning said operating gear in one axial position thereof, and means operated by axial movement of said stem into its second position to disengage both idler gears from their pinions to simultaneously free said dials for retrograde rotation.

5. In a game register, a support, a iirst shaft pivoted in said support, a registering dial on said shaft, resilient means connected to said shaft and support urging said dial into an initial position with respect to said support, a dial positioning element fixed to said shaft, releasable spring means on said support engaging said element to releasably hold said dial in any one of a plurality of registering positions, a ratchet wheel fixed to said shaft, a pawl rotatably mounted on said shaft and engaging said wheel, a' second shaft rotatably mounted in said frame and axially shiftable into two positions, disconnectable means normally connecting said rst shaft and pawl whereby to rotate said dial in one direction of rotation only of said shaft, and means operated by axial shift of said second shaft to its second position, to release said spring means, whereby said resilient means rotates said dial to its initial position.

6. In a register, a frame, a first shaft rotatably mounted in said frame, an indicating dial secured to said shaft, spring means urging said dial to an initial indicating position, a ratchet Wheel fixed to said shaft, a gear freely mounted on said shaft, a pawl attached to said gear and engaging said wheel, cam means fixed to said shaft and having peripherally-spaced notches corresponding to the respective indicating positions of said dial, and retaining means carried by said frame and resiliently engaging the notches of said cam means to retain said shaft and dial in the positions to which they are turned by actuation of said gear and paWl.

7. In a register according to claim- 6, a second shaft axially shiftable in said frame, a disconnectable drive from said second shaft to said gear, and means operated by axial shift of said second shaft to separate said retaining means from said cam whereby said spring means may return said dial to initial position.

8. In a register according to claim 6, a second axially shiftable shaft, a gear on said shaft, a. leaf spring having one portion fixed to said frame, an idler gear rotatably mounted on another portion of said leaf spring, a disconnectable gear drive between said first and second shafts including said idler, and a fork on said second shaft operated by axial shift thereof to engage said spring and move said idler gear to disconnect the drive.

9. In a game register, an indicator having thereon spaced indicia, means connected to advance said indicator from a predetermined initial position to bring any selected indicium into indicating position, said means including a disconnectable drive, a first stop on said indicato-r, means connected to urge said indicator for retrograde movement into said initial position, a second stop movably mounted adjacent said first stop, and a single means operable to disconnect said drive and simultaneously move said second stop into the path of said first stop to arrest retrograde movement of said indicator at a D- sition advanced from said initial position.

l0. In a register, a frame, a pair of spaced parallel shafts rotatably mounted in said frame, a pair of dials each secured to a, respective shaft, a third shaft normal to said pair of shafts, rotatably mounted and axially shiftable in said frame between a first and a second position, means urging one of said dials to an initial predetermined indicating position, disconnectable drives between said pair of shafts and said third shaft, whereby turning of said third shaft may rotate one of said dials when in its first position, and means operated by axial shift of said third shaft to second position to disconnect said first drive and permit said one dial to return to initial position, and simultaneously to drivingly connect said third shaft to the other one of said pair of shafts whereby turning of said third shaft may rotate said other one of said pair of shafts.

11. A registering mechanism comprising a dial bearing indicia, a shaft mounting said dial for pivotal movement, means resiliently urging said dial to an initial position, a cam fixed to said shaft and having notches corresponding to the registering positions of said indicia, means for advancing said shaft and dial, said means including'an` idler, aleaf spring having said idler pivoted on one end thereof, and a second leaf vspring secured te said end of said first spring,

said second spring having its free end positioned to successively engage in said notches and re- -tain said dial in any advanced position.

12. In a register, a casing, two pairs of dials pivotally mounted in said casing on spaced axes, an operating means in said casing and shiftable between two positions, disconnectable one-way drives between said operating means and respective dials of a first pair, whereby actuation of said means in one direction advances one dial of said pair from a predetermined initial position, while actuation of said means in the other di.- rection advances the other dial of said one pair from initial position, means urging each dial of said first pair to initial position, means releasably retaining each dial of said first pair in advanced position, a `connectable one-way drive `between said operating means and the second pair vof dials, and means actuated by shift of said operating means to second position to disconnect said disconnectable drives and simultaneously to Vconnect, said connectable drives whereby said second pair of dials may be actuated and said urging means moves each of the first pair of dials to initial position.

13. A register according to claim l2 wherein actuation of said operating means to second position also releases said retaining means.

14. In a register, first and second indicating means individually movable from an initial position into a plurality of advanced positions, a single operating means, first drive means actuated by movement of said operating means in a first direction to advance said rst indicating means, second drive means actuated by movement of said operating means in a second direction to advance said second indicating means, y

each said drive means including disconnectable driving elements, means urging each said indieating means toward said initial position, means releasably holding said first and second indicating means in their respective advanced positions, and means operated by movement of said operating means in a third direction to disconnect both said driving elements and release said holding means, whereby said urging means may return each indicating means to initial position.

l5. In a register, indicating means movable from an initial position into a plurality of advanced positions, manually actuated operating means, drive means actuated by movement of said operating means in one direction to advance said indicating means, said drive means including disconnectable driving elements, means urging said indicating means into movement toward said initial position, means releasably holding said indicating means in advanced position, and other means operated by movement of said operating means in a second direction to disconnect said driving elements and release said holding means, whereby said urging means may return said indicating means to said initial position,

16. In a register, indicating means movable in an advance direction into a plurality of indicating positions and in a retrograde direction to an initial position, means urging said indicating means continuously toward said initial position, advancing means comprising relatively disconnectable driving parts and normally operative only to advance said indicating means successvely into said indicating positions against the action of said urging means, means including a cam permanently connected to said indicating means to move therewith and normally operable to hold said indicating means in the position to which it has been advanced by said advancing means, and a single means operable. to disconnect said parts and to render said holding means ineffective, whereby said urging means may operate to effect retrograde movement of said indicating means into said initial position.

17. In a register, first and second indicators comprising a first pair, rst and second indicators comprising a second pair, each of said indicators being movable from an initial position into a plurality of advanced positions, a rotatable shaft axially movable between rst and second positions, means operable by respective opposite directions of rotation of. said shaft when in said rst position to advance said first pair of indicators only, means operable by respective opposite directions of rotation of said shaft when in said second position to advance said second pair of indicators only, and means responsive to movement of said shaft from rst to second position to eiiect retrograde movement of said first pair of indicators to initial positions.

18. In a register, indicating means having a series of spaced indicia thereon, manually operable disconnectable driving means normally connected selectively to advance said indicating means from an initial position -to bring an;7 one of said indicia into registering position, means urging said indicating means into said initial position, and a single manually-actuated means operable to disconnect said driving means and arrest retrograde movement of said indicating means, under the action of said urging means, at a predetermined point in advance of said initial position.

19. In a register, an indicator movable in a path from an initial position, to successively advance spaced indicia thereon into indicating position, a rst stop connected for movement with said indicator, means continuously urging said indicator into retrograde movement, restraining means acting on said indicator to retain the same in advanced position, a manually operable means connected to advance said indicating means and including a disconnectable drive, a second stop, and a single part operable to simultaneously disconnect said drive, release said restraining means, and move said second stop into the path of said iirst stop, to thereby arrest retrograde movement of said indicating means in advance of said initial position.

ARTHUR W. DEW. 

